Because I am Catholic
2012
Because I am Catholic
Dear Friends in Christ, This year’s Catholic Charities Appeal theme, “Because I am Catholic”, inspires each of us to be proud to live out our faith through providing assistance in meeting the material and spiritual needs of others, especially those who are the poorest and most vulnerable among us. I have set an ambitious, but much needed goal of $10 million for the 2012 Appeal. Achieving this goal will allow us to provide crucially needed funding for the vital programs offered through Catholic Social Services, education for our children with special needs, care for our elderly and infirm priests and in continuing to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ. We need your support through the Catholic Charities Appeal to continue to do the Lord’s work. Your gift will help guarantee that our brothers and sisters in need will continue to know, and see the loving face of Christ in those who serve them. It also provides a shining example of your belief in the Church’s commitment to the poor, needy, and vulnerable.
Your participation, small or large, will have a profound impact.
I cannot do this alone. Whether you have been a donor in the past, have missed a few years or have never given, your participation, small or large, will have a profound impact. Thank you for your generosity and support and please know that you are in my daily prayers.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Philadelphia
Catholic Social Services
Because I am Catholic I am called to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless. With its ten Family Service Centers throughout our region, Catholic Social Services gives families in crisis the strength to make it through hard times through counseling, case management and emergency services, like food, clothing and baby formula. The Catholic Charities Appeal provides vital funding to these programs to ensure that no family in need walks alone.
Catholic Education Because I am Catholic I am called to educate those who have developmental, physical or emotional needs.
Through the Office of Catholic Education and its four schools of special education: Archbishop Ryan for the Deaf, St. Katherine Day School, St. Lucy School for Children with Visual Impairments and Our Lady of Confidence Day School, children in our region who are visual and hearing impaired and cognitively and emotionally disabled, receive an education that meets their spiritual, academic, emotional and psychological needs. Without your support of the Catholic Charities Appeal these needs may go unmet.
With an ever aging priest population in our Archdiocese, many of those who baptized our children, absolved us of our sins, presided at our weddings, celebrated our Masses and provided us comfort through sickness or death, are now in their hour of need. With your gift to the Catholic Charities Appeal you will provide the means necessary to offer skilled care to our priests who dedicated their lives in service to us.
Elderly and Infirm Priests Because I am Catholic I am called to show compassion for the sick and infirm.
Through the Archdiocesan Family Life and Respect Life offices our Catholic Faith and core values continue to be strengthened among the lay faithful throughout our area. Through our evangelization efforts we proclaim to everyone the good works performed by Catholic Social Services.
Evangelization Because I am Catholic I am called to profess my faith not only in what I do, but what I support.
With your support of the Catholic Charities Appeal you have the opportunity to make a statement about why you are proud of the good works of the Church.
Archdiocesan programs supported by the 2012 Catholic Charities Appeal include:
60
% Catholic Human Services
Meeting the material needs of others, especially the poorest and most vulnerable among us
18
% Catholic Education
Maintaining the mission of Schools for Special Education and the Office for Youth and Young Adults
9 %
Care for Elderly & Infirm Priests
Providing skilled care for those who have given their lives in service to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
5
% Evangelization
Support for the pastoral and sacramental guidance offered by the Family Life and Respect Life Offices as well as promoting the good works of the Church of Philadelphia through the *Good News Marketing Campaign * Gifts to the Good News Marketing Campaign are restricted. These gifts would be in addition to the percentage listed above.
8 %
Stewardship Activities
Stewardship is a way of life for a Christian disciple. These efforts help the Faithful grow in their love of the Lord, understand their gifts and talents, and encourages them to participate and give back to the Church
Board of Directors of the 501c3 Catholic Charities Appeal: Msgr. Francis W. Beach, President Msgr. Gregory Parlante, Secretary Mr. James Quinlan, Vice President Mrs. Denise Hodgson, Director Mrs. Jeanne Raubenstine, Director Ms. Nina Tinari, Director Mr. Edward Tomeszko, Director
Office for Stewardship and Development Archdiocese of Philadelphia 222 N. 17th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.587.5650 catholiccharitiesappeal.org
